Council vote could take McGinness Park off the table for a data center in Lancaster County
The Columbia Borough Council in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, approved an ordinance change that would remove data centers from the light business zoning category, directly impacting McGinness Park. This decision, passed by a 4-3 vote, aims to restrict data centers to industrial-zoned properties. The ordinance still requires approval from municipal and county planning bodies before finalization, but residents are hopeful it will prevent a data center at McGinness Park.
The Columbia Borough Council in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, recently voted to change zoning regulations, a move that could prevent a data center from being built at McGinness Park.
Councilman Ethan Byers proposed an ordinance to remove data centers from the light business zoning category, arguing it would be in the borough's best interest to proceed without data centers as an option for McGinness Park due to potential appeals that could stall property sales for years. This proposed ordinance would restrict data centers to properties zoned as industrial, effectively taking McGinness Park off the table as it falls under light business zoning.
Despite concerns from some council members about the timing of the proposal, which was brought directly to the borough council meeting without prior workshop discussion, the ordinance passed in a narrow 4-3 vote. While residents like Travis McCarty express hope that this change is a step in the right direction, they also clarify that their opposition isn't against all development, but rather against projects that don't offer good-paying, walkable jobs.
The ordinance change is not yet final and still requires approval through municipal and county planning. Borough council leaders plan a special meeting in August to discuss a broader ordinance for future development.